UM Motorcycles to debut with 2 motorcycles this Auto Expo; aims to sell 15,000 units a year

NEW DELHI: US-based UM Motorcycles and its Indian partner Lohia Auto will launch will begin its innings in India by launching two motorcycles in the upcoming Auto Expo. American brand will launch its Renegade Sport S and Renegade Commando which are expected to be priced between Rs 1.2 to Rs 2 lakh.

“At the upcoming Auto Expo we will be launching two of our motorcycles, along with displaying our range of accessories and merchandise,” said Rajeev Mishra, Directer, UM Motorcycles India. “We have some special editions also, which we will showcase at the expo to spike the consumer’s and the avid motorcyclist’s interest.”

While India specifications have not been released yet, globally, Renegade Commando gets a 150cc and 223cc engine, whereas the Renegade Sport S gets three engine options - 137cc, 180cc and 200cc.

UM Motorcycle has signed an equal joint venture with Lohia Auto. These bikes will be produced at Lohia Auto’s Kashipur plant in Uttarakhand. “We have already invested USD40 million as a JV company and would be making similar investment in developing new products and market,” Mishra informed.

UM Motorcycle was first introduced to Indian consumers at the last Auto Expo in 2014 where it had exhibited both these motorcycles, alongside its sports segment motorcycle Xtreet. In international markets, UM Motorcycle is present in cruiser, sports and commuter segment. It also competes in scooter segment where it offers three scooters between 110cc and 150cc.

However, to begin with in India, UM will focus on the mid-range cruiser segment as it is here the brand sees the biggest opportunity. “Our current focus will be on the cruiser segment, because we believe that the Indian market has a lot of potential for the mid-premium cruiser class. We want to create a niche for ourselves, offering our customers a wider choice in the aforementioned segment.

He added that in the future we may look at bringing the products in the sports segment as well.

The brand will be competing with the likes of Benelli and Hyosung and also Royal Enfield, the largest player in the cruiser segment. The company hopes to sell minimum 15,000 units annually to sustain in the Indian market.

Its two bikes Renegade Commando and Sport will have localisation level of 60 percent for the first year. It expects to grow this number to 80 percent within next one year.

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In 2018, automobile demand remained robust despite the slowdown overcast in the last three months of year. All segments reported strong double-digit growth in the calendar year ending December 31 except passenger vehicles which reported a growth of 5 per cent. Three-wheelers sales grew fastest followed by commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, and passenger vehicles. The overall automobile sales crossed 26.7 million units for the first time.

In 2018, automobile demand remained robust despite the slowdown overcast in the last three months of year. All segments reported strong double-digit growth in the calendar year ending December 31 except passenger vehicles which reported a growth of 5 per cent. Three-wheelers sales grew fastest followed by commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, and passenger vehicles. The overall automobile sales crossed 26.7 million units for the first time.